Although most municipalities require rain sensors, most systems either don’t have one installed or don’t receive the necessary maintenance to ensure the device is working properly. If the sensor is older than five years, consider replacing it. If your system doesn’t have a sensor, get in touch with our team of lawn irrigation professionals.

We’ve found that one of two scenarios is happening when a system runs continually:

Human error – Many clients get confused by the Start Time functionality and accidentally program multiple start times, which forces the system to continually restart its program.

Failed valve(s) – A zone valve may be worn out or have debris caught in it, allowing water to continually run through it. We recommend that you flush the valve or replace it if to ensure efficiency and function. It may be beneficial to consider installing a master valve on the system, which only allows it to charge when it’s supposed to run and therefore limits the amount of time that the failed valve can continue to water.

Your sprinkler heads may need adjustments. They may also be clogged with debris. Fortunately, we have all the tools necessary to ensure your system functions optimally so you can maintain your beautiful lawn.

A soft or wet spot in your yard is often an indicator of a system leak. It may be a lateral (zone) line that’s leaking or damaged. If you’re experiencing leaks when your system isn’t running, it may be due to a leak in the main line.

 We highly recommend having your professional service provider diagnose and resolve the leak before your landscape is significantly damaged. You can turn the water supply to your system off until Conserva Irrigation arrives on site. A leaking or damaged head may also be the culprit of wet spots in your yard. Our sprinkler repair team can easily resolve any issues with your damaged sprinkler heads.

Choosing the best time to run your sprinkler systems can help you save water, money, and even your grass.

The best time to water your lawn is determined by several factors:

Rate of evaporation

Temperature

Wind

Humidity (including dew)

Lawn diseases

Municipal laws (watering restrictions)

The best time to water is early in the morning (somewhere between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.), when the wind is minimal. This helps to prevent water from evaporating, plus you get the added moisture from the dew, which can help you save even more money. Having your systems run in the morning also helps prevent lawn disease because it gives your lawn a chance to dry as the day progresses.

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Without getting too technical with run time formulas (T=60 x Eto x Kc / Pr x DU), a good rule of thumb is to give your lawn 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Fewer, longer soakings are preferred and will train the grass roots to grow deeper. You can run your lawn irrigation system with a series of catch cans (Tupperware or tuna cans) in order to determine how long your sprinklers should run each week.

In an effort to more efficiently distribute fresh water from a municipal well, city managers have established “watering bans” to regulate when large amounts of water are most commonly used. Daytime commercial water use accounts for much of the water used each day. Therefore, citizens are encouraged, or required, to water only during “off peak” times. Additionally, other factors for efficient watering of your lawn are taken into consideration. For example, midday watering is less efficient due to evaporation from solar radiation and higher wind speeds. Therefore, many municipalities only allow watering in the early morning or later evening.